Yonas Adaye (PhD)
BY STAFF REPORTER
Today’s guest Yonas Adaye(PhD) was born in Dagaga Lenda Kebele, Damot Weide Woreda, Wolayita District. Attend elementary school in Desa, which was administered under Kale Hiwot Church. He went to Wolayita Sodo to pursue his high school at Ligaba Beyene School. He then headed to Kotebe Teachers College and earned a diploma in English. After graduating, he worked for two years at Nasibu High School in Western Oromia.
He had the opportunity to study at Addis Ababa University and received a Bachelor’s of Art degree in English Language and Literature. After graduating, he was selected from among the other students to remain at the University and serve as a lecturer. Our guest, who has a master’s degree in the same field of study, has also received another MA in politics and international relations.
When Addis Ababa University President Andreas Eshete became president, he was given the responsibility of leading the Peace and Security Institute, one of the newly established departments. Our guest, who has been serving as a leader and lecturer for the past 20 years, received a doctorate degree in peace and security studies from Bradford University of the United Kingdom.
Upon graduation, he returned to Addis Ababa University and continued to lead the Peace and Security Institute. Our guest, Dr. Yonas Adaye, was educated at this institute and was able to produce higher officials who led and led the country with great capabilities. He has made a significant contribution to strengthening the peace and security sector. The Ethiopian Press Agency reporters have made fruitful discussions with him on current national issues. It is presented as follows.
Would you please explain the value and meaning of conducting elections?
Literally, election is to pick or choose one among many alternatives. When it comes to politics, as all parties have a capacity of leading the country, it is a process of choosing one who represents or governs as all political forces cannot lead a country. It is better to compare one with the other. Elections play an important role in the political process. Basically, elections are not new to us (Africans). Before the expansion of modern governmental structure, we used to elect our tribal leaders. This means that Africans already knew and pursued the electoral system before they were conquered by European colonizers. Election is also a natural process. It is also a philosophy of life. Therefore, it would be ridiculous to think that the Europeans are taken as a source of election. The day-to-day activities of human beings highly depend on their choice. By and large, for me, choice is part of life and it should be done.
Is election the only way to build democratization? In this regard, how do you evaluate the last five elections?
In this regard, we can cite the past five choices. The Bible verse says, “Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” I believe that; when we know and follow the truth, our conscience will be free from blame. . I don’t think past choices have been more important than names. Of course, elections have taken place in Ethiopia. Nevertheless, we have seen that just elections do not lead to democracy. If elections were the solution, elections had been held during the Derg regime but did not bring democracy. There are countries that have been embroiled in a series of wars since the election.
On the other hand, it is undeniable that a lot of work has been done in Ethiopia over the past 27 years in terms of building democratic institutions. For example, if we look at infrastructural developments, rural towns of Ethiopia, which are not known in the world dictionary, have become university owners. Medical facilities, roads were built everywhere. These infrastructures are the basis for our prosperity. At the same time, elections were held. Nevertheless, were there honest elections? I think the people will judge.
What do you think made those choices fictitious?
In essence, the TPLF came to the polls to honor its promises to the Europeans during the struggle. One of the prerequisites for gaining support from the superpowers was elections, not to worry about ensuring democracy in Ethiopia. In this regard, from top to bottom, all the five elections were highly influenced. It does not come from within or from the will of the people. All the elections were not real.
In my opinion, you cannot say that a real election has been won. How can the EPRDF respect diversity when it has won 99.6 percent? How can an election be held so that everyone can only think, talk, and talk about revolutionary democracy? It is also difficult for their conscience. I do not say this boldly not for the sake of politics; rather, it is based on the creator and the truth I worship. So, if you look at it with a clear conscience, the election is being held to gain sustainable aid from Western world. This is not only happening in Ethiopia but they have also been influencing the developing world. If they do not do so, they may even change the government. We have seen what happened when Gaddafi refused to surrender to the West. And we have not been able to make the right election due to the existence of such an unjust international control system. Almost all five elections were rigged.
Not only this, the former officials also harassed and pressured the people during the election not to relinquish their power. The leaders had not been genuine to conduct a true election. They talked about how they came to power by overthrowing the Derg regime, not bothering about the election. The power of my faith belongs to God; Only God will continue to win forever.
If we sow what is good today, we will reap what we sow centuries later. If we do it with a clear conscience, we will at least find peace of mind. In this regard, the elections were not based on a clean conscience. In fact, the TPLF’s manifesto was based on hostility to a society, which in itself barred it from bringing democracy to the country let alone leading the people to egalitarianism. On the other hand, the underdevelopment of the people’s political culture has its own contribution. In general, no one is immune to destruction. I think all of us have a role to play in building democracy.
Even if you say democratic institutions have been built; others do not accept the aforesaid fact. They argue that if the institutions were built, democracy would flourish. What do you think about that?
Yes, one of the good things that the EPRDF has done is to build the institutions. It is improving through time. Indeed, it is known that the election board during the EPRDF was completely biased towards the ruling party. At that time, there was a man who served the president of the Supreme Court and the Board Chairman of the Electoral Board at a time. How can justice be served when a person who has been wronged goes to court even though he is the one who is suing or asking for a verdict? Still, I think it’s good to see the existence of these institutions. It also needs to be adjusted and brought to the desired level.
I have known Birtukan Mideksa, who is currently chairing the board, from the university. Even then, she is a strong women who reads and argues with knowledge. She has gone through a lot of stress and suffering and that helped her to be a refined leadership like gold tested by fire. That is why, when she was nominated for the chairmanship of the board, both the ruling party and the competing parties accepted her. Instead of talking peacefully, there are some parties who need to enter into armed struggle. So to avoid that, we need to bring in such a capable woman who has been tested.
What is more, most Ethiopians are aware of the current external pressures. In particular, there is a commitment among the people to withstand international pressure in connection with Egypt. To prevent this, it is necessary to hold the right elections and form a democratically elected government. For this, there is now a state of conscience. That is why, the people lined up to cast their ballots without being affected by sunlight and rainfall. Therefore, in view of the commitment of the people, it can be said that the conscience is complete. By the way, I’m talking about what I saw; it is not for the sake of supporting any of the political parties. I believe that I have to be realistic and not biased.
What do you think is the positive and negative role of this year’s election?
In philosophical extreme views are not allowed or recommended. Even, a woman is not 100 percent female; man, too as they have something in common. There is no such thing as perfect life on earth. They are all relatives. It is always seen in comparison. We must first clearly understand this basic idea.
There is no perfect democracy in any country. In this regard, the election has been extended in areas where there were problems. Even during the election, some polls were canceled. This is relevant to be done. The current chairperson of the board, as I told you before, will not hesitate to cancel the election where there is a problem. When you look at the person who disrupted the election in Adama, and punished as per the law, you can see that the law is working.
However, there are also problems. The withdrawals of some contending political parties and individuals from the election are likely to be an obstacle to democratization. However, I can say that it is a much better election than the previous ones. In general, whenever you cross a road, you do not think that you will cross without a hitch. The election is not expected to be flawless. Nevertheless, it was also a relatively better situation. By the way, passing through
many challenges makes us stronger. And if everyone works in this spirit, we can bring peace and democracy. Basically, in any country, there is no government or system that comes into being without passing hindrances. In all, the election helped to create a national dialogue. Still, the election does not solve all our problems. And I can assure you that the problems will not go away for the next three to four months. It will change.
Does the election have an impact in avoiding foreign interference?
First of all, this election recognizes that we are a free and sovereign nation. As you know, there is a pro-right regime in every country. In Mali, for example, France is the first country to reach for the crisis happening there. There are countries that are eager to intervene in Ethiopia if something happens wrong. Even here, there are those who yearn for a Kosovo-style foreign peacekeeping force in Ethiopia.
Therefore, we have conducted the election without any influence. I believe it will clear up the confusion about Ethiopia’s independence. Let me tell you a related story: When I went to Swaziland, I saw that there was a church named after Ethiopia, and when I asked how it came about, they thought that Ethiopia was a holy country and that they saw it as a model for democracy and a liberated country. Once again, this election that is conducted without foreign intervention demonstrates Ethiopians’ commitment to democracy. This is what the East African Observatory has witnessed to the world.
On the other hand, I believe it will be a great lesson to those who are planning to disrupt the election with foreign powers. It also helps those who have lost a sense of self-worth. I also understand that foreign observers, such as the European Union, have realized that their strategy is not right. Moreover, I think the fact that there is a program to plant seedlings alongside the election has created an opportunity for us to get closer and support each other for the development of our country. In general, it strengthens our inner unity.
Explain to me what the peaceful outcome of this election will be for the East African region beyond Ethiopia.
Dr. Jonah: As you said, there are many benefits to this choice. In East Africa, in particular, we are more culturally and linguistically connected than any other African country, and the loss of one’s peace will be a threat to the other. None of us can be sure that our neighbor’s fire did not enter our house. For our peace to be complete, our neighbors must be peaceable. So I believe it has laid the foundation for regional unity. It also has a message for all Africans.
It is especially noteworthy that there is an African solution to our own problems without the influence of the West. He also said that if we Africans work together, we can do many miracles. Basically, we Africans say that social cohesion is a strong way of life. We are nothing without each other. So we need to keep each other’s peace so that we can create a prosperous and prosperous continent for the future. For this, fair and peaceful elections and the transfer of power play an important role.
Some people say that the election is democratic in the face of political turmoil. Do you agree with that?
To be honest, I think the fact that politicians under the shadow of the law are running for office is a big thing in itself. I do not want to go into judgment. However, allowing these people to participate in the election as long as their guilt is proven shows how much our judicial system is improving. By the way, the issue of imprisonment and contesting elections has not started in our country. South African leader Nelson Mandela was mobilized by his party and supporters while he was in prison. In our country, it is a great achievement for me that these individuals can be relied on under Ethiopian law to compete in accordance with the law. This shows that the justice system in Ethiopia is evolving. It shows the credibility of the Electoral Board. So for me, this is not a bad thing at all.
Beginning, on the other hand, is considered to be the completion of the work itself. I have been following the situation since the election. As you said, it is gratifying to see a peaceful end to all of us as one of the securities concerns and conflicts is the issue of elections. Since the election campaign, the voting process has been conducted peacefully by the will of the people and all political parties. Our biggest issue should be to cross Ethiopia. Because our enemies bragged to us that there is no country called Ethiopia. Recently, the Egyptian media, citing the Ethiopian constitution, called for the secession of the entire region and its independence.
By the way, there is no constitution or government in the world like Ethiopia that allows secession. I believe this in itself gave our enemies a chance to use our differences and isolate us. In general, I would like to thank the politicians and the people of Ethiopia, first of all, for the fact that the election did not happen as our enemies wished.
I truly thank you for your time.
Thank you too.
The Ethiopian Herald June 29/2021
